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Higdon KE, Brzeski KE, Ottino MA, Bal TL. Establishing Silphids in the invertebrate DNA toolbox: a proof of concept. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17636. [PMID: 38993975 PMCID: PMC11238724 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses are an increasingly popular tool for assessing biodiversity. eDNA sampling that uses invertebrates, or invertebrate DNA (iDNA), has become a more common method in mammal biodiversity studies where biodiversity is assessed via diet analysis of different coprophagous or hematophagous invertebrates. The carrion feeding family of beetles (Silphidae: Coleoptera, Latreille (1807)), have not yet been established as a viable iDNA source in primary scientific literature, yet could be useful indicators for tracking biodiversity in forested ecosystems. Silphids find carcasses of varying size for both food and reproduction, with some species having host preference for small mammals; therefore, iDNA Silphid studies could potentially target small mammal communities. To establish the first valid use of iDNA methods to detect Silphid diets, we conducted a study with the objective of testing the validity of iDNA methods applied to Silphids using both Sanger sequencing and high throughput Illumina sequencing. Beetles were collected using inexpensive pitfall traps in Alberta, Michigan in 2019 and 2022. We successfully sequenced diet DNA and environmental DNA from externally swabbed Silphid samples and diet DNA from gut dissections, confirming their potential as an iDNA tool in mammalian studies. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of Silphids for iDNA research where we detected species from the genera Anaxyrus, Blarina, Procyon, Condylura, Peromyscus, Canis, and Bos. Our results highlight the potential for Silphid iDNA to be used in future wildlife surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. Higdon
- College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States of America
| | - Kristin E. Brzeski
- College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States of America
| | - Melanie A. Ottino
- College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States of America
| | - Tara L. Bal
- College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States of America
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2
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Lee PS, Dong MH, Yan XL, He TY, Yu SF, Wee SL, Wilson JJ. Blowfly-derived mammal DNA as mammal diversity assessment tool: Determination of dispersal activity and flight range of tropical blowflies. Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e108438. [PMID: 37736305 PMCID: PMC10509675 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e108438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian DNA extracted from the invertebrates, especially blowfly-derived DNA, has been suggested as a useful tool to complement traditional field methods for terrestrial mammal monitoring. However, the accuracy of the estimated location of the target mammal detected from blowfly-derived DNA is largely dependent on the knowledge of blowflies' dispersal range. Presently, published data on adult blowfly dispersal capabilities remain scarce and mostly limited to temperate and subtropical regions, with no published report on the adult blowfly dispersal range in the Tropics. We seek to determine the blowfly flight range and dispersal activity in a tropical plantation in Malaysia by mark-release-recapture of approximately 3000 wild blowflies by use of rotten fish-baited traps for nine consecutive days. Out of the 3000 marked Chrysomya spp., only 1.5% (43) were recaptured during the 9-day sampling period. The majority of the blowflies (79%) were recaptured 1 km from the release point, while 20.9% were caught about 2-3 km from the release point. One individual blowfly travelled as far as 3 km and before being recaptured, which was the maximum dispersal distance recorded in this study. This result suggests that the estimated locations of the mammals detected from blowfly-derived iDNA is likely to be within 1-2 km radius from the origin of the blowfly sampling location. However, a more accurate estimated distance between the target mammal and the blowfly sampling location requires further investigation due to various factors, such as blowfly species, wind speed and direction that may potentially affect the blowfly dispersal activities. This study contributes further understanding on the development of a blowfly-derived DNA method as a mammalian monitoring tool in the tropical forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Shin Lee
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal UniversityWuhu 241000, AnhuiChina
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, ChinaAnhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal UniversityWuhu 241000, AnhuiChina
| | - Min Hui Dong
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal UniversityWuhu 241000, AnhuiChina
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, ChinaAnhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal UniversityWuhu 241000, AnhuiChina
| | - Xin Lei Yan
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal UniversityWuhu 241000, AnhuiChina
| | - Tian Yi He
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal UniversityWuhu 241000, AnhuiChina
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, ChinaAnhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, Anhui Normal UniversityWuhu 241000, AnhuiChina
| | - Shang Fei Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal UniversityWuhu 241000, AnhuiChina
| | - Suk Ling Wee
- Centre for Insect Systematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, MalaysiaCentre for Insect Systematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia43600 Bangi, SelangorMalaysia
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia43600 Bangi, SelangorMalaysia
| | - John James Wilson
- Vertebrate Zoology at World Museum, National Museums Liverpool, William Brown Street, Liverpool, United KingdomVertebrate Zoology at World Museum, National Museums Liverpool, William Brown StreetLiverpoolUnited Kingdom
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3
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Köhler CF, Holding ML, Sprong H, Jansen PA, Esser HJ. Biodiversity in the Lyme-light: ecological restoration and tick-borne diseases in Europe. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:373-385. [PMID: 36890021 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity loss and the emergence of zoonotic diseases are two major global challenges. An urgent question is how ecosystems and wildlife communities can be restored whilst minimizing the risk of zoonotic diseases carried by wildlife. Here, we evaluate how current ambitions to restore Europe's natural ecosystems may affect the hazard of diseases vectored by the tick Ixodes ricinus at different scales. We find that effects of restoration efforts on tick abundance are relatively straightforward but that the interacting effects of vertebrate diversity and abundance on pathogen transmission are insufficiently known. Long-term integrated surveillance of wildlife communities, ticks, and their pathogens is needed to understand their interactions and to prevent nature restoration from increasing tick-borne disease (TBD) hazard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Florentine Köhler
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Maya Louise Holding
- Virology and Pathogenesis Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, UK
| | - Hein Sprong
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick A Jansen
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Helen J Esser
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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4
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Eisen L. Rodent-targeted approaches to reduce acarological risk of human exposure to pathogen-infected Ixodes ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102119. [PMID: 36680999 PMCID: PMC10863499 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, rodents serve as important hosts of medically important Ixodes ticks, including Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus, as well as reservoirs for human pathogens, including Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), and Babesia microti. Over the last four decades, different methods to disrupt enzootic transmission of these pathogens between tick vectors and rodent reservoirs have been developed and evaluated. Early work focused on self-application of topical acaricide by rodents to kill infesting ticks; this resulted in two different types of commercial products based on (i) delivery of permethrin to rodents via impregnated cotton offered as nesting material or (ii) application of fipronil to rodents via an impregnated wick as they navigate through a bait box to reach a food source. More recent work has focused on approaches where acaricides, antibiotics, or a vaccine against Bo. burgdorferi s.s. are delivered orally via rodent food baits. Of these, the oral vaccine and oral acaricide are nearest to commercialization. Other approaches in early stages of development include anti-tick vaccines for rodents and use of heritable genome editing to engineer white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) that are refractory to Bo. burgdorferi s.s. In this review, I first outline general benefits and drawbacks of rodent-targeted tick and pathogen control methods, and then describe the empirical evidence for different approaches to impact enzootic pathogen transmission and acarological risk of human exposure to pathogen-infected Ixodes ticks. Rodent-targeted methods remain promising components of integrated tick management approaches but there are concerns about the robustness of the impact of existing rodent-targeted products across habitats and variable tick host communities, and in some cases also for the implementation cost in relation to what homeowners in Lyme disease endemic areas say they are willing to pay for tick control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States.
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5
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Environmental DNA in human and veterinary parasitology - Current applications and future prospects for monitoring and control. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2022; 29:e00183. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2022.e00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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6
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Johnson CR, Ponnusamy L, Richards AL, Apperson CS. Analyses of Bloodmeal Hosts and Prevalence of Rickettsia parkeri in the Gulf Coast Tick Amblyomma maculatum (Acari: Ixodidae) From a Reconstructed Piedmont Prairie Ecosystem, North Carolina. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:1382-1393. [PMID: 35489062 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Host feeding patterns and the prevalence of infection with Rickettsia parkeri were determined for the primary vector, Amblyomma maculatum Koch as well as sympatric tick species A. americanum (Linnaeus) and Dermacentor variabilis (Say) collected from a reconstructed prairie in the Piedmont region of North Carolina during 2011 and 2012. The occurrence of R. parkeri among A. maculatum adults and nymphs was 36.9% (45/122) and 33.3% (2/6), respectively. Rickettsia parkeri was detected in a single male A. americanum 2.3% (1/43). A PCR-reverse line blot hybridization assay of a 12S rDNA fragment amplified from remnant larval and nymphal bloodmeals of host-seeking ticks was used to identify bloodmeal hosts. Of the tick samples tested, bloodmeal host identification was successful for 29.3% (12/41) of adult A. americanum and 39.2% (20/51) of adult D. variabilis. For A. maculatum, bloodmeal host identification was successful for 50% (61/122) of adults collected from vegetation and 100% (4/4) of nymphs removed from cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus Say and Ord). The cotton rat was the most common bloodmeal host with 59.0% (36/61) identified for adult A. maculatum. No statistically significant association was observed, however, between bloodmeal host and pathogen prevalence for any tick species. While the cotton rat was an important bloodmeal host for A. maculatum nymphs, this vertebrate did not appear to be the primary source of R. parkeri infection for A. maculatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie R Johnson
- Department of Entomology and Plath Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Loganathan Ponnusamy
- Department of Entomology and Plath Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695USA
| | - Allen L Richards
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Charles S Apperson
- Department of Entomology and Plath Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695USA
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7
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Li LJ, Ning NZ, Zheng YC, Chu YL, Cui XM, Zhang MZ, Guo WB, Wei R, Liu HB, Sun Y, Ye JL, Jiang BG, Yuan TT, Li J, Bian C, Bell-Sakyi L, Wang H, Jiang JF, Song JL, Cao WC, Tsan-Yuk Lam T, Ni XB, Jia N. Virome and Blood Meal-Associated Host Responses in Ixodes persulcatus Naturally Fed on Patients. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:728996. [PMID: 35250897 PMCID: PMC8891964 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.728996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-lasting co-evolution of ticks with pathogens results in mutual adaptation. Blood-feeding is one of the critical physiological behaviors that have been associated with the tick microbiome; however, most knowledge was gained through the study of laboratory-reared ticks. Here we detached Ixodes persulcatus ticks at different stages of blood-feeding from human patients and performed high-throughput transcriptomic analysis on them to identify their virome and genes differentially expressed between flat and fully fed ticks. We also traced bloodmeal sources of those ticks and identified bats and three other potential mammalian hosts, highlighting the public health significance. We found Jingmen tick virus and 13 putative new viruses belonging to 11 viral families, three of which even exhibited high genetic divergence from viruses previously reported in the same tick species from the same geographic region. Furthermore, differential expression analysis suggested a downregulation of antioxidant genes in the fully fed I. persulcatus ticks, which might be related to bloodmeal-related redox homeostasis. Our work highlights the significance of active surveillance of tick viromes and suggests a role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in modulating changes in the microbiome during blood-feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Nian-Zhi Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | | | - Yan-Li Chu
- Mudanjiang Forestry Central Hospital, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Zhu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Bin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Hong-Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Ling Ye
- Mudanjiang Forestry Central Hospital, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Bao-Gui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Ting-Ting Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
- Shanghai Institute for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Cai Bian
- Mudanjiang Forestry Central Hospital, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Fu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Ju-Liang Song
- Mudanjiang Forestry Central Hospital, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Wu-Chun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Tommy Tsan-Yuk Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Joint Institute of Virology (SU/HKU), Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Xue-Bing Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Xue-Bing Ni,
| | - Na Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
- Na Jia,
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Channumsin M, Ciosi M, Masiga D, Auty H, Turner CM, Kilbride E, Mable BK. Blood meal analysis of tsetse flies ( Glossina pallidipes: Glossinidae) reveals higher host fidelity on wild compared with domestic hosts. Wellcome Open Res 2021; 6:213. [PMID: 34703903 PMCID: PMC8513123 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16978.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Changes in climate and land use can alter risk of transmission of parasites between domestic hosts and wildlife, particularly when mediated by vectors that can travel between populations. Here we focused on tsetse flies (genus Glossina), the cyclical vectors for both Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) and Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT). The aims of this study were to investigate three issues related to G. palldipes from Kenya: 1) the diversity of vertebrate hosts that flies fed on; 2) whether host feeding patterns varied in relation to type of hosts, tsetse feeding behaviour, site or tsetse age and sex; and 3) if there was a relationship between trypanosome detection and host feeding behaviours or host types. Methods: Sources of blood meals of Glossina pallidipes were identified by sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and analyzed in relationship with previously determined trypanosome detection in the same flies. Results: In an area dominated by wildlife but with seasonal presence of livestock (Nguruman), 98% of tsetse fed on single wild host species, whereas in an area including a mixture of resident domesticated animals, humans and wildlife (Shimba Hills), 52% of flies fed on more than one host species. Multiple Correspondence Analysis revealed strong correlations between feeding pattern, host type and site but these were resolved along a different dimension than trypanosome status, sex and age of the flies. Conclusions: Our results suggest that individual G. pallidipes in interface areas may show higher feeding success on wild hosts when available but often feed on both wild and domesticated hosts. This illustrates the importance of G. pallidipes as a vector connecting the sylvatic and domestic cycles of African trypanosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manun Channumsin
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-Ok, Chonburi, 20230, Thailand
| | - Marc Ciosi
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of glasgow, University Place, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Dan Masiga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, P.O. Box 30772, 00100, Kenya
| | - Harriet Auty
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (BAHCM), University of Glasgow, University Place, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - C. Michael Turner
- Institute of Infection Immunity and Inflammation (III), University of Glasgow, University Place, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Elizabeth Kilbride
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (BAHCM), University of Glasgow, University Place, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Barbara K. Mable
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (BAHCM), University of Glasgow, University Place, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
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9
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Towards a more healthy conservation paradigm: integrating disease and molecular ecology to aid biological conservation †. J Genet 2021. [PMID: 33622992 PMCID: PMC7371965 DOI: 10.1007/s12041-020-01225-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Parasites, and the diseases they cause, are important from an ecological and evolutionary perspective because they can negatively affect host fitness and can regulate host populations. Consequently, conservation biology has long recognized the vital role that parasites can play in the process of species endangerment and recovery. However, we are only beginning to understand how deeply parasites are embedded in ecological systems, and there is a growing recognition of the important ways in which parasites affect ecosystem structure and function. Thus, there is an urgent need to revisit how parasites are viewed from a conservation perspective and broaden the role that disease ecology plays in conservation-related research and outcomes. This review broadly focusses on the role that disease ecology can play in biological conservation. Our review specifically emphasizes on how the integration of tools and analytical approaches associated with both disease and molecular ecology can be leveraged to aid conservation biology. Our review first concentrates on disease-mediated extinctions and wildlife epidemics. We then focus on elucidating how host–parasite interactions has improved our understanding of the eco-evolutionary dynamics affecting hosts at the individual, population, community and ecosystem scales. We believe that the role of parasites as drivers and indicators of ecosystem health is especially an exciting area of research that has the potential to fundamentally alter our view of parasites and their role in biological conservation. The review concludes with a broad overview of the current and potential applications of modern genomic tools in disease ecology to aid biological conservation.
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10
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Lumsden GAM, Zakharov EV, Dolynskyj S, Weese JS, Lindsay LR, Jardine C. Temporal Detection Limits of Remnant Larval Bloodmeals in Nymphal Ixodes scapularis (Say, Ixodida: Ixodidae) Using Two Next-Generation Sequencing DNA Barcoding Assays. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:821-829. [PMID: 33095865 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Using next-generation sequencing DNA barcoding, we aimed to determine: 1) if the larval bloodmeal can be detected in Ixodes scapularis nymphs and 2) the post-moult temporal window for detection of the larval bloodmeal. Subsets of 30 nymphs fed on a domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus, Lagomorphia: Leporidae) as larvae were reared and frozen at 11 time points post-moult, up to 150 d. Vertebrate DNA was amplified using novel universal (UP) and species-specific primers (SSP) and sequenced for comparison against cytochrome c oxidase subunit I barcodes to infer host identification. Detectable bloodmeals decreased as time since moult increased for both assays. For the SSP assay, detection of bloodmeals decreased from 96.7% (n = 29/30) in day 0 nymphs to 3.3% (n = 1/30) and 6.7% (n = 2/30) at 4- and 5-mo post-moult, respectively. A shorter temporal detection period was achieved with the UP assay, declining from 16.7% (n = 5/30) in day 0 nymphs to 0/30 in 3-d-old nymphs. Bloodmeal detection was nonexistent for the remaining cohorts, with the exception of 1/30 nymphs at 2-mo post-moult. Host detection was significantly more likely using the SSP assay compared to the UP assay in the first three time cohorts (day 0: χ 2 = 39.1, P < 0.005; day 2: χ 2 = 19.2, P < 0.005; day 3: χ 2 = 23.3, P < 0.005). Regardless of the primer set used, the next-generation sequencing DNA barcoding assay was able to detect host DNA from a larval bloodmeal in the nymphal life stage; however, a short window with a high proportion of detection post-moult was achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evgeny V Zakharov
- Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah Dolynskyj
- Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Scott Weese
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - L Robbin Lindsay
- Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Claire Jardine
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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11
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Hernández-Triana LM, Garza-Hernández JA, Ortega Morales AI, Prosser SWJ, Hebert PDN, Nikolova NI, Barrero E, de Luna-Santillana EDJ, González-Alvarez VH, Mendez-López R, Chan-Chable RJ, Fooks AR, Rodríguez-Pérez MA. An Integrated Molecular Approach to Untangling Host-Vector-Pathogen Interactions in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) From Sylvan Communities in Mexico. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:564791. [PMID: 33778029 PMCID: PMC7988227 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.564791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There are ~240 species of Culicidae in Mexico, of which some are vectors of arthropod-borne viruses such as Zika virus, dengue virus, chikungunya virus, and West Nile virus. Thus, the identification of mosquito feeding preferences is paramount to understanding of vector–host–pathogen interactions that, in turn, can aid the control of disease outbreaks. Typically, DNA and RNA are extracted separately for animal (insects and blood meal hosts) and viral identification, but this study demonstrates that multiple organisms can be analyzed from a single RNA extract. For the first time, residual DNA present in standard RNA extracts was analyzed by DNA barcoding in concert with Sanger and next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify both the mosquito species and the source of their meals in blood-fed females caught in seven sylvan communities in Chiapas State, Mexico. While mosquito molecular identification involved standard barcoding methods, the sensitivity of blood meal identification was maximized by employing short primers with NGS. In total, we collected 1,634 specimens belonging to 14 genera, 25 subgenera, and 61 morphospecies of mosquitoes. Of these, four species were new records for Mexico (Aedes guatemala, Ae. insolitus, Limatus asulleptus, Trichoprosopon pallidiventer), and nine were new records for Chiapas State. DNA barcode sequences for >300 bp of the COI gene were obtained from 291 specimens, whereas 130 bp sequences were recovered from another 179 specimens. High intraspecific divergence values (>2%) suggesting cryptic species complexes were observed in nine taxa: Anopheles eiseni (5.39%), An. pseudopunctipennis (2.79%), Ae. podographicus (4.05%), Culex eastor (4.88%), Cx. erraticus (2.28%), Toxorhynchites haemorrhoidalis (4.30%), Tr. pallidiventer (4.95%), Wyeomyia adelpha/Wy. guatemala (7.30%), and Wy. pseudopecten (4.04%). The study increased the number of mosquito species known from 128 species to 138 species for Chiapas State, and 239 for Mexico as a whole. Blood meal analysis showed that Aedes angustivittatus fed on ducks and chicken, whereas Psorophora albipes fed on humans. Culex quinquefasciatus fed on diverse hosts including chicken, human, turkey, and Mexican grackle. No arbovirus RNA was detected by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction in the surveyed specimens. This study demonstrated, for the first time, that residual DNA present in RNA blood meal extracts can be used to identify host vectors, highlighting the important role of molecular approaches in both vector identification and revealing host–vector–pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M Hernández-Triana
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Virology Department, Rabies and Wildlife Zoonoses Research Group, Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | | | - Aldo I Ortega Morales
- Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Unidad Laguna, Periférico Raúl López Sánchez y Carretera a Santa Fe, Torreón, Mexico
| | - Sean W J Prosser
- Center for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Paul D N Hebert
- Center for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Nadya I Nikolova
- Center for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Elsa Barrero
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Virology Department, Rabies and Wildlife Zoonoses Research Group, Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Ramón Mendez-López
- Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Unidad Laguna, Periférico Raúl López Sánchez y Carretera a Santa Fe, Torreón, Mexico
| | - Rahuel J Chan-Chable
- Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Unidad Laguna, Periférico Raúl López Sánchez y Carretera a Santa Fe, Torreón, Mexico
| | - Anthony R Fooks
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Virology Department, Rabies and Wildlife Zoonoses Research Group, Addlestone, United Kingdom
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Lumsden GA, Zakharov EV, Dolynskyj S, Weese JS, Lindsay LR, Jardine CM. The application of next-generation sequence-based DNA barcoding for bloodmeal detection in host-seeking wild-caught Ixodes scapularis nymphs. BMC Res Notes 2021; 14:67. [PMID: 33602311 PMCID: PMC7891142 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05481-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Our objective was to apply next-generation sequence-based DNA barcoding to identify the remnant larval bloodmeals in wild-caught host-seeking (unengorged) Ixodes scapularis nymphs (n = 216). To infer host species identification, vertebrate DNA was amplified using universal primers for cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS) for comparison against known barcode references. Results Bloodmeal identification was unsuccessful in most samples (99% of 216 specimens) demonstrating a very low detection rate of this assay. Sequences that surpassed quality thresholds were obtained for 41.7% of nymphs (n = 90) and of those, confident species identification was obtained for 15.6% of nymphs (n = 14). Wild host identifications were only obtained from 2 specimens, where DNA from the eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) was identified. Human and bovine DNA was identified in remaining nymphs and considered to be contaminants. Further optimization of the technique is required to improve detection of remnant bloodmeals in host-seeking nymphs.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Lumsden
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON, N1G2W1, Canada.
| | - E V Zakharov
- Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 579 Gordon St., Guelph, ON, N1G2W1, Canada
| | - S Dolynskyj
- Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 579 Gordon St., Guelph, ON, N1G2W1, Canada
| | - J S Weese
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON, N1G2W1, Canada
| | - L R Lindsay
- Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - C M Jardine
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON, N1G2W1, Canada.,Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON, N1G2W1, Canada
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13
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Surveillance of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Triatomine vectors, feral dogs and cats, and wild animals in and around El Paso county, Texas, and New Mexico. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009147. [PMID: 33600455 PMCID: PMC7924784 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The causative agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is transmitted by triatomine vectors. The insect is endemic in the Americas, including the United States, where epidemiological studies are limited, particularly in the Southwestern region. Here, we have determined the prevalence of T. cruzi in triatomines, feral cats and dogs, and wild animals, the infecting parasite genotypes and the mammalian host bloodmeal sources of the triatomines at four different geographical sites in the U.S.-Mexico border, including El Paso County, Texas, and nearby cities in New Mexico. Using qualitative polymerase chain reaction to detect T. cruzi infections, we found 66.4% (n = 225) of triatomines, 45.3% (n = 95) of feral dogs, 39.2% (n = 24) of feral cats, and 71.4% (n = 7) of wild animals positive for T. cruzi. Over 95% of T. cruzi genotypes or discrete typing units (DTUs) identified were TcI and some TcIV. Furthermore, Triatoma rubida was the triatomine species most frequently (98.2%) collected in all samples analyzed. These findings suggest a high prevalence of T. cruzi infections among triatomines, and feral and wild animals in the studied sites. Therefore, our results underscore the urgent need for implementation of a systematic epidemiological surveillance program for T. cruzi infections in insect vectors, and feral and wild animals, and Chagas disease in the human population in the southwestern region of the United States. Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and one of the major transmission routes is the contaminated feces of blood-feeding triatomine insect vectors, popularly known as kissing bugs. In recent years, this disease has become an important public health concern to the United States and other nonendemic regions of the world. Despite many studies about the prevalence of T. cruzi in triatomines, and domestic, feral and wild animals in central and southern Texas, there have been no studies in west Texas and New Mexico. In this study, we report the presence of triatomines in residences in El Paso County, TX, and surrounding communities in New Mexico (cities of Anthony and Las Cruces), as well as T. cruzi infections in feral and wild animals. Using two molecular techniques to analyze the bloodmeal source in triatomines, we detected 12 different mammalian bloodmeal sources, including human and canine. Finally, parasite genotyping showed that most (95%) of the samples belonged to the genotype TcI, which is prevalent in North America. Our findings indicate that the El Paso County and surrounding communities (>950,000 people) are high risk areas for T. cruzi transmission to humans, feral cats and dogs, and wild animals. Thus, there is an urgent necessity for a public health epidemiological surveillance program for T. cruzi infections in kissing bugs, feral and wild animals, and in the human population in the U.S.-Mexico border region.
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Gray J, Kahl O, Zintl A. What do we still need to know about Ixodes ricinus? Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101682. [PMID: 33571753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In spite of many decades of intensive research on Ixodes ricinus, the castor bean tick of Europe, several important aspects of its basic biology remain elusive, such as the factors determining seasonal development, tick abundance and host specificity, and the importance of water management. Additionally, there are more recent questions about the geographical diversity of tick genotypes and phenotypes, the role of migratory birds in the ecoepidemiology of I. ricinus, the importance of protective immune responses against I. ricinus, particularly in the context of vaccination, and the role of the microbiome in pathogen transmission. Without more detailed knowledge of these issues, it is difficult to assess the likely effects of changes in climate and biodiversity on tick distribution and activity, to predict potential risks arising from new and established tick populations and I. ricinus-borne pathogens, and to improve prevention and control measures. This review aims to discuss the most important outstanding questions against the backdrop of the current state of knowledge of this important tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Gray
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | | | - Annetta Zintl
- UCD School of Veterinary Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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15
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Morishima K, Nakano T, Aizawa M. Sika deer presence affects the host-parasite interface of a Japanese land leech. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:6030-6038. [PMID: 32607210 PMCID: PMC7319141 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the 1990s, increasing populations of a blood feeding land leech (Haemadipsa japonica) have become a serious issue in several Japanese prefectures, and it may be caused by the increases in sika deer (Cervus nippon) populations seen over the last quarter of the century. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the host animal species of H. japonica using iDNA (vertebrate DNA isolated from invertebrates) and to test the hypothesis that the increasingly widespread distribution of sika deer results in increased H. japonica populations through changes to the host-parasite interface. We amplified mitochondrial DNA 16S ribosome RNA fragments from iDNA isolated from the blood clots of H. japonica collected across Japan. We identified 17 host animal species, including four orders of Mammalia (Carnivora, Artiodactyla, Rodentia, and Lagomorpha) and two orders of Amphibia (Caudata and Anura). The sika deer was the dominant host species of H. japonica. Additionally, the host animal species composition of H. japonica differed according to the presence or absence of sika deer. In the sites where sika deer were not found, Anura (frog) species were the most commonly identified hosts of H. japonica. These results suggest that the increases in H. japonica populations might have occurred via a change in host preference to sika deer. This change might be driven by the increases in sika deer populations and subsequent increase in the frequency that H. japonica uses the sika deer as easy prey, as well as by sika deer providing more reproductive energy per blood meal than blood meal from frog species. The present study suggests that a more widespread distribution of sika deer resulted in an increase in H. japonica through a change in the host-parasite interface. Therefore, management that focuses on decreasing sika deer populations would likely be an effective method for the reduction of H. japonica populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Morishima
- United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyUtsunomiyaJapan
| | - Takafumi Nakano
- Department of ZoologyGraduate School of ScienceKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Mineaki Aizawa
- Department of Forest ScienceSchool of AgricultureUtsunomiya UniversityUtsunomiyaJapan
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16
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Huerlimann R, Cooper MK, Edmunds RC, Villacorta‐Rath C, Le Port A, Robson HLA, Strugnell JM, Burrows D, Jerry DR. Enhancing tropical conservation and ecology research with aquatic environmental DNA methods: an introduction for non‐environmental DNA specialists. Anim Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Huerlimann
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - M. K. Cooper
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - R. C. Edmunds
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - C. Villacorta‐Rath
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - A. Le Port
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - H. L. A. Robson
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - J. M. Strugnell
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - D. Burrows
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - D. R. Jerry
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- Tropical Futures Institute James Cook University Singapore Singapore
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17
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Tilker A, Abrams JF, Nguyen A, Hörig L, Axtner J, Louvrier J, Rawson BM, Nguyen HAQ, Guegan F, Nguyen TV, Le M, Sollmann R, Wilting A. Identifying conservation priorities in a defaunated tropical biodiversity hotspot. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Tilker
- Department of Ecological Dynamics Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
- Global Wildlife Conservation Austin TX USA
| | - Jesse F. Abrams
- Department of Ecological Dynamics Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - An Nguyen
- Department of Ecological Dynamics Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Lisa Hörig
- Department of Ecological Dynamics Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Jan Axtner
- Department of Ecological Dynamics Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Julie Louvrier
- Department of Ecological Dynamics Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | | | | | | | - Thanh Van Nguyen
- Department of Ecological Dynamics Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
- VNU-Central Institute for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Vietnam National University Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Minh Le
- VNU-Central Institute for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Vietnam National University Hanoi Vietnam
- Department of Environmental Ecology Faculty of Environmental Sciences VNU-University of Science, Vietnam National University Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Rahel Sollmann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology University of California Davis Davis CA USA
| | - Andreas Wilting
- Department of Ecological Dynamics Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
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18
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Abbasi I, Nasereddin A, Warburg A. Development of a next generation DNA sequencing-based multi detection assay for detecting and identifying Leishmania parasites, blood sources, plant meals and intestinal microbiome in phlebotomine sand flies. Acta Trop 2019; 199:105101. [PMID: 31361989 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by Leishmania parasites transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae). Human infections with different Leishmania species cause characteristic clinical manifestations; cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis. Here we describe the development and application of a Miseq Next GenerationSequencing (NGS)-based Multi Detection Assay (MDA) designed to characterize metagenomics parameters pertinent to the sand fly vectors which may affect their vectorial capacity for Leishmania. For this purpose, we developed a MDA by which, DNA fragments were amplified through polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and then sequenced by MiSeq/NGS. PCR amplification was achieved using some published and some new primers designed specifically for identifying Leishmania spp. (ITS1), sand fly spp. (cytochrome oxidase I), vertebrate blood (Cytochrome b), plant DNA ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit gene (rbcL), and prokaryotic micobiome (16 s rRNA). This MDA/NGS analysis was performed on two species of wild-caught sand flies that transmit different Leishmania spp. in two ecologically distinct, but geographically neighboring locations. The results were analyzed to identify, quantitate and correlate the measured parameters in order to assess their putative importance in the transmission dynamics of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Abbasi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
| | - Abdelmajeed Nasereddin
- The Genomics Applications Laboratory, The Core Research Facility, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Alon Warburg
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
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19
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Abrams JF, Hörig LA, Brozovic R, Axtner J, Crampton‐Platt A, Mohamed A, Wong ST, Sollmann R, Yu DW, Wilting A. Shifting up a gear with
iDNA
: From mammal detection events to standardised surveys. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse F. Abrams
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Lisa A. Hörig
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Robert Brozovic
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Jan Axtner
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | | | - Azlan Mohamed
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Seth T. Wong
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Rahel Sollmann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology University of California Davis Davis California
| | - Douglas W. Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming Yunnan China
- School of Biological Sciences University of East AngliaNorwich Research Park Norwich Norfolk UK
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Andreas Wilting
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
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20
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Hill GE. Reconciling the Mitonuclear Compatibility Species Concept with Rampant Mitochondrial Introgression. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 59:912-924. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icz019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The mitonuclear compatibility species concept defines a species as a population that is genetically isolated from other populations by uniquely coadapted mitochondrial (mt) and nuclear genes. A key prediction of this hypothesis is that the mt genotype of each species will be functionally distinct and that introgression of mt genomes will be prevented by mitonuclear incompatibilities that arise when heterospecific mt and nuclear genes attempt to cofunction to enable aerobic respiration. It has been proposed, therefore, that the observation of rampant introgression of mt genotypes from one species to another constitutes a strong refutation of the mitonuclear speciation. The displacement of a mt genotype from a nuclear background with which it co-evolved to a foreign nuclear background will necessarily lead to fitness loss due to mitonuclear incompatibilities. Here I consider two potential benefits of mt introgression between species that may, in some cases, overcome fitness losses arising from mitonuclear incompatibilities. First, the introgressed mt genotype may be better adapted to the local environment than the native mt genotype such that higher fitness is achieved through improved adaptation via introgression. Second, if the mitochondria of the recipient taxa carry a high mutational load, then introgression of a foreign, less corrupt mt genome may enable the recipient taxa to escape its mutational load and gain a fitness advantage. Under both scenarios, fitness gains from novel mt genotypes could theoretically compensate for the fitness that is lost via mitonuclear incompatibility. I also consider the role of endosymbionts in non-adaptive rampant introgression of mt genomes. I conclude that rampant introgression is not necessarily evidence against the idea of tight mitonuclear coadaptation or the mitonuclear compatibility species concept. Rampant mt introgression will typically lead to erasure of species but in some cases could lead to hybrid speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey E Hill
- Department of Biological Sciences, 331 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5414, USA
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21
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Axtner J, Crampton-Platt A, Hörig LA, Mohamed A, Xu CCY, Yu DW, Wilting A. An efficient and robust laboratory workflow and tetrapod database for larger scale environmental DNA studies. Gigascience 2019; 8:giz029. [PMID: 30997489 PMCID: PMC6461710 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giz029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of environmental DNA for species detection via metabarcoding is growing rapidly. We present a co-designed lab workflow and bioinformatic pipeline to mitigate the 2 most important risks of environmental DNA use: sample contamination and taxonomic misassignment. These risks arise from the need for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification to detect the trace amounts of DNA combined with the necessity of using short target regions due to DNA degradation. FINDINGS Our high-throughput workflow minimizes these risks via a 4-step strategy: (i) technical replication with 2 PCR replicates and 2 extraction replicates; (ii) using multi-markers (12S,16S,CytB); (iii) a "twin-tagging," 2-step PCR protocol; and (iv) use of the probabilistic taxonomic assignment method PROTAX, which can account for incomplete reference databases. Because annotation errors in the reference sequences can result in taxonomic misassignment, we supply a protocol for curating sequence datasets. For some taxonomic groups and some markers, curation resulted in >50% of sequences being deleted from public reference databases, owing to (i) limited overlap between our target amplicon and reference sequences, (ii) mislabelling of reference sequences, and (iii) redundancy. Finally, we provide a bioinformatic pipeline to process amplicons and conduct PROTAX assignment and tested it on an invertebrate-derived DNA dataset from 1,532 leeches from Sabah, Malaysia. Twin-tagging allowed us to detect and exclude sequences with non-matching tags. The smallest DNA fragment (16S) amplified most frequently for all samples but was less powerful for discriminating at species rank. Using a stringent and lax acceptance criterion we found 162 (stringent) and 190 (lax) vertebrate detections of 95 (stringent) and 109 (lax) leech samples. CONCLUSIONS Our metabarcoding workflow should help research groups increase the robustness of their results and therefore facilitate wider use of environmental and invertebrate-derived DNA, which is turning into a valuable source of ecological and conservation information on tetrapods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Axtner
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Ecological Dynamics, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alex Crampton-Platt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Ecological Dynamics, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa A Hörig
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Ecological Dynamics, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Azlan Mohamed
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Ecological Dynamics, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Charles C Y Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 Jiaochang East Rd, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700 CC Groningen, The Netherlands
- Redpath Museum and Department of Biology, McGill University 859 Sherbooke Street West, Montreal, PQ, Canada H3A 2K6
| | - Douglas W Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 Jiaochang East Rd, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR47TJ, UK
| | - Andreas Wilting
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Ecological Dynamics, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
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22
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Siddall ME, Barkdull M, Tessler M, Brugler MR, Borda E, Hekkala E. Ideating iDNA: Lessons and limitations from leeches in legacy collections. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212226. [PMID: 30794582 PMCID: PMC6386349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Indirect methods for conducting faunal inventories present great promise, and genomic inventories derived from environmental sources (eDNA) are improving. Invertebrate ingested DNA (iDNA) from terrestrial leeches in the family Haemadipsidae has shown potential for surveying vertebrates and biodiversity monitoring in protected areas. Here we present an initial, and critical, evaluation of the limitations and biases of current iDNA protocols for biodiversity monitoring using both standard and NGS barcoding approaches. Key findings include the need for taxon relevant multi-locus markers and reference databases. In particular, the limitations of available reference databases have profound potential to mislead and bias eDNA and iDNA results if not critically interpreted. Nevertheless, there is great potential for recovery of amplifiable DNA from gut contents of invertebrate museum specimens which may reveal both temporal patterns and cryptic diversity in protected areas with increased efficiency. Our analyses of ingested DNA (iDNA) from both freshly stored and previously collected (legacy) samples of terrestrial leeches successfully identified vertebrates from Myanmar, Australia and Madagascar and indicate the potential to characterize microbial communities, pathogen diversity and interactions at low cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E. Siddall
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Megan Barkdull
- New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida, United States of America
| | - Michael Tessler
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Mercer R. Brugler
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
- Biological Sciences Department, NYC College of Technology, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Borda
- Department of Science and Math, Texas A&M University San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Evon Hekkala
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
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23
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Couper L, Swei A. Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing. J Vis Exp 2018:58239. [PMID: 30199026 PMCID: PMC6231894 DOI: 10.3791/58239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, vector-borne diseases have re-emerged and expanded at alarming rates, causing considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective and widely available vaccines are lacking for a majority of these diseases, necessitating the development of novel disease mitigation strategies. To this end, a promising avenue of disease control involves targeting the vector microbiome, the community of microbes inhabiting the vector. The vector microbiome plays a pivotal role in pathogen dynamics, and manipulations of the microbiome have led to reduced vector abundance or pathogen transmission for a handful of vector-borne diseases. However, translating these findings into disease control applications requires a thorough understanding of vector microbial ecology, historically limited by insufficient technology in this field. The advent of next-generation sequencing approaches has enabled rapid, highly parallel sequencing of diverse microbial communities. Targeting the highly-conserved 16S rRNA gene has facilitated characterizations of microbes present within vectors under varying ecological and experimental conditions. This technique involves amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, sample barcoding via PCR, loading samples onto a flow cell for sequencing, and bioinformatics approaches to match sequence data with phylogenetic information. Species or genus-level identification for a high number of replicates can typically be achieved through this approach, thus circumventing challenges of low detection, resolution, and output from traditional culturing, microscopy, or histological staining techniques. Therefore, this method is well-suited for characterizing vector microbes under diverse conditions but cannot currently provide information on microbial function, location within the vector, or response to antibiotic treatment. Overall, 16S next-generation sequencing is a powerful technique for better understanding the identity and role of vector microbes in disease dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Couper
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University
| | - Andrea Swei
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University;
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24
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Schnell IB, Bohmann K, Schultze SE, Richter SR, Murray DC, Sinding MHS, Bass D, Cadle JE, Campbell MJ, Dolch R, Edwards DP, Gray TNE, Hansen T, Hoa ANQ, Noer CL, Heise-Pavlov S, Sander Pedersen AF, Ramamonjisoa JC, Siddall ME, Tilker A, Traeholt C, Wilkinson N, Woodcock P, Yu DW, Bertelsen MF, Bunce M, Gilbert MTP. Debugging diversity - a pan-continental exploration of the potential of terrestrial blood-feeding leeches as a vertebrate monitoring tool. Mol Ecol Resour 2018; 18:1282-1298. [PMID: 29877042 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) has become an applicable noninvasive tool with which to obtain information about biodiversity. A subdiscipline of eDNA is iDNA (invertebrate-derived DNA), where genetic material ingested by invertebrates is used to characterize the biodiversity of the species that served as hosts. While promising, these techniques are still in their infancy, as they have only been explored on limited numbers of samples from only a single or a few different locations. In this study, we investigate the suitability of iDNA extracted from more than 3,000 haematophagous terrestrial leeches as a tool for detecting a wide range of terrestrial vertebrates across five different geographical regions on three different continents. These regions cover almost the full geographical range of haematophagous terrestrial leeches, thus representing all parts of the world where this method might apply. We identify host taxa through metabarcoding coupled with high-throughput sequencing on Illumina and IonTorrent sequencing platforms to decrease economic costs and workload and thereby make the approach attractive for practitioners in conservation management. We identified hosts in four different taxonomic vertebrate classes: mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, belonging to at least 42 different taxonomic families. We find that vertebrate blood ingested by haematophagous terrestrial leeches throughout their distribution is a viable source of DNA with which to examine a wide range of vertebrates. Thus, this study provides encouraging support for the potential of haematophagous terrestrial leeches as a tool for detecting and monitoring terrestrial vertebrate biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Baerholm Schnell
- Section for EvoGenomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Center for Zoo and Wild Animal Health, Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Kristine Bohmann
- Section for EvoGenomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Sebastian E Schultze
- Section for EvoGenomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stine R Richter
- Section for EvoGenomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dáithí C Murray
- Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mikkel-Holger S Sinding
- Section for EvoGenomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - David Bass
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK.,Cefas, Weymouth, Dorset, UK
| | - John E Cadle
- Centre ValBio, Ranomafana, Ifanadiana, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar
| | - Mason J Campbell
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science (TESS) and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - David P Edwards
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science (TESS) and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Teis Hansen
- Section for EvoGenomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Christina Lehmkuhl Noer
- Section for EvoGenomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Center for Zoo and Wild Animal Health, Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Sigrid Heise-Pavlov
- Centre for Rainforest Studies at the School for Field Studies, Yungaburra, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adam F Sander Pedersen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mark E Siddall
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, Sackler Institute of Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York
| | - Andrew Tilker
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany.,Global Wildlife Conservation, Austin, Texas
| | - Carl Traeholt
- Center for Zoo and Wild Animal Health, Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | | | | | - Douglas W Yu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | | | - Michael Bunce
- Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Section for EvoGenomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,NTNU University Museum, Trondheim, Norway
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25
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Benelli G. Managing mosquitoes and ticks in a rapidly changing world - Facts and trends. Saudi J Biol Sci 2018; 26:921-929. [PMID: 31303820 PMCID: PMC6600734 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks are on the rise. The effective and sustainable control of these arthropod vectors is a puzzling challenge for public health worldwide. In the present review, I attempted to provide a concise and updated overview of the current mosquito and tick research scenario. The wide array of control tools recently developed has been considered, with special reference to those approved by the World Health Organization Vector Control Advisory Group (WHO VCAG), as well as novel ones with an extremely promising potential to be exploited in vector control programs. Concerning mosquitoes, a major focus has been given on genetically modified vectors, eave tubes, attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) and biocontrol agents. Regarding ticks, the recent development of highly effective repellents and acaricides (including nanoformulated ones) as well as behavior-based control tools, has been highlighted. In the second part of the review, key research questions about biology and control of mosquitoes and ticks have been critically formulated. A timely research agenda outlining hot issues to be addressed in mosquito and tick research is provided. Overall, it is expected that the present review will contribute to boost research and applications on successful mosquito and tick control strategies, along with an improved knowledge of their biology and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy.,The BioRobotics Institute, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
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26
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Weiskopf SR, McCarthy KP, Tessler M, Rahman HA, McCarthy JL, Hersch R, Faisal MM, Siddall ME. Using terrestrial haematophagous leeches to enhance tropical biodiversity monitoring programmes in Bangladesh. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Weiskopf
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology University of Delaware Newark DE USA
| | - Kyle P. McCarthy
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology University of Delaware Newark DE USA
| | - Michael Tessler
- Richard Gilder Graduate School American Museum of Natural History New York NY USA
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology American Museum of Natural History New York NY USA
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics American Museum of Natural History New York NY USA
| | - Hasan A. Rahman
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology University of Delaware Newark DE USA
| | | | - Rebecca Hersch
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics American Museum of Natural History New York NY USA
| | | | - Mark E. Siddall
- Richard Gilder Graduate School American Museum of Natural History New York NY USA
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology American Museum of Natural History New York NY USA
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics American Museum of Natural History New York NY USA
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27
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Honig V, Carolan HE, Vavruskova Z, Massire C, Mosel MR, Crowder CD, Rounds MA, Ecker DJ, Ruzek D, Grubhoffer L, Luft BJ, Eshoo MW. Broad-range survey of vector-borne pathogens and tick host identification of Ixodes ricinus from Southern Czech Republic. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2017; 93:4331634. [PMID: 29029144 PMCID: PMC5812510 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fix129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus ticks are vectors of numerous human and animal pathogens. They are host generalists able to feed on more than 300 vertebrate species. The prevalence of tick-borne pathogens is influenced by host-vector-pathogen interactions that results in spatial distribution of infection risk. Broad-range polymerase chain reaction electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) was used to analyze 435 I. ricinus nymphs from four localities in the south of the Czech Republic for the species identification of tick-borne pathogens. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes were the most common pathogen detected in the ticks; 21% of ticks were positive for a single genospecies and 2% were co-infected with two genospecies. Other tick-borne pathogens detected included Rickettsia helvetica (3.9%), R. monacensis (0.2%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (2.8%), Babesia venatorum (0.9%), and Ba. microti (0.5%). The vertebrate host of the ticks was determined using PCR followed by reverse line blot hybridization from the tick's blood-meal remnants. The host was identified for 61% of ticks. DNA of two hosts was detected in 16% of samples with successful host identification. The majority of ticks had fed on artiodactyls (50.7%) followed by rodents (28.6%) and birds (7.8%). Other host species were wild boar, deer, squirrels, field mice and voles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaclav Honig
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Heather E. Carolan
- Ibis Biosciences Inc., Abbott Laboratories, 2251 Faraday Ave, Ste 150, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Zuzana Vavruskova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Christian Massire
- Ibis Biosciences Inc., Abbott Laboratories, 2251 Faraday Ave, Ste 150, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Michael R. Mosel
- Ibis Biosciences Inc., Abbott Laboratories, 2251 Faraday Ave, Ste 150, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Christopher D. Crowder
- Ibis Biosciences Inc., Abbott Laboratories, 2251 Faraday Ave, Ste 150, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Megan A. Rounds
- Ibis Biosciences Inc., Abbott Laboratories, 2251 Faraday Ave, Ste 150, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - David J. Ecker
- Ibis Biosciences Inc., Abbott Laboratories, 2251 Faraday Ave, Ste 150, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| | - Daniel Ruzek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Grubhoffer
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Benjamin J. Luft
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8166, USA
| | - Mark W. Eshoo
- Ibis Biosciences Inc., Abbott Laboratories, 2251 Faraday Ave, Ste 150, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
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28
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Estrada-Peña A, D’Amico G, Palomar A, Dupraz M, Fonville M, Heylen D, Habela M, Hornok S, Lempereur L, Madder M, Núncio M, Otranto D, Pfaffle M, Plantard O, Santos-Silva M, Sprong H, Vatansever Z, Vial L, Mihalca A. A comparative test of ixodid tick identification by a network of European researchers. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:540-546. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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29
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Ondrejicka DA, Morey KC, Hanner RH. DNA barcodes identify medically important tick species in Canada. Genome 2017; 60:74-84. [DOI: 10.1139/gen-2015-0179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Medically important ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are often difficult to identify morphologically. A standardized, molecular approach using a 658 base pair DNA barcode sequence (from the 5′ region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene) was evaluated for its effectiveness in discriminating ticks in North America, with an emphasis on Canadian ticks. DNA barcodes were generated for 96 of 154 specimens representing 26 ixodid species. A genetic cluster analysis was performed on the barcode sequences, which separated specimens into haplogroups closely corresponding with morphologically identified species. The tree topology was further supported by a BIN analysis. COI sequences generated were found to have a mean maximum intraspecific divergence of 1.59% and a mean nearest neighbour divergence of 12.8%, indicating a significant “barcode gap”. This study also revealed possible cryptic diversity among specimens morphologically identified as Ixodes soricis and Ixodes texanus. A PCR-based test for Borrelia burgdorferi determined that 18.1% of Lyme-competent ticks in this study were positive. This study is also the first to record a B. burgdorferi-positive exoskeleton. In conclusion, DNA barcoding is a powerful tool that clinicians can use to determine the identification of tick specimens which can help them to suggest whether an attached tick is a potential health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle A. Ondrejicka
- Department of Integrative Biology, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Kevin C. Morey
- Department of Integrative Biology, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Robert H. Hanner
- Department of Integrative Biology, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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30
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Viral Metagenomics on Blood-Feeding Arthropods as a Tool for Human Disease Surveillance. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17101743. [PMID: 27775568 PMCID: PMC5085771 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17101743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Surveillance and monitoring of viral pathogens circulating in humans and wildlife, together with the identification of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), are critical for the prediction of future disease outbreaks and epidemics at an early stage. It is advisable to sample a broad range of vertebrates and invertebrates at different temporospatial levels on a regular basis to detect possible candidate viruses at their natural source. However, virus surveillance systems can be expensive, costly in terms of finances and resources and inadequate for sampling sufficient numbers of different host species over space and time. Recent publications have presented the concept of a new virus surveillance system, coining the terms "flying biological syringes", "xenosurveillance" and "vector-enabled metagenomics". According to these novel and promising surveillance approaches, viral metagenomics on engorged mosquitoes might reflect the viral diversity of numerous mammals, birds and humans, combined in the mosquitoes' blood meal during feeding on the host. In this review article, we summarize the literature on vector-enabled metagenomics (VEM) techniques and its application in disease surveillance in humans. Furthermore, we highlight the combination of VEM and "invertebrate-derived DNA" (iDNA) analysis to identify the host DNA within the mosquito midgut.
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31
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Reeves LE, Holderman CJ, Gillett-Kaufman JL, Kawahara AY, Kaufman PE. Maintenance of host DNA integrity in field-preserved mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) blood meals for identification by DNA barcoding. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:503. [PMID: 27629021 PMCID: PMC5024527 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1791-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Determination of the interactions between hematophagous arthropods and their hosts is a necessary component to understanding the transmission dynamics of arthropod-vectored pathogens. Current molecular methods to identify hosts of blood-fed arthropods require the preservation of host DNA to serve as an amplification template. During transportation to the laboratory and storage prior to molecular analysis, genetic samples need to be protected from nucleases, and the degradation effects of hydrolysis, oxidation and radiation. Preservation of host DNA contained in field-collected blood-fed specimens has an additional caveat: suspension of the degradative effects of arthropod digestion on host DNA. Unless effective preservation methods are implemented promptly after blood-fed specimens are collected, host DNA will continue to degrade. Preservation methods vary in their efficacy, and need to be selected based on the logistical constraints of the research program. Methods We compared four preservation methods (cold storage at -20 °C, desiccation, ethanol storage of intact mosquito specimens and crushed specimens on filter paper) for field storage of host DNA from blood-fed mosquitoes across a range of storage and post-feeding time periods. The efficacy of these techniques in maintaining host DNA integrity was evaluated using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of a sufficient concentration of intact host DNA templates for blood meal analysis. We applied a logistic regression model to assess the effects of preservation method, storage time and post-feeding time on the binomial response variable, amplification success. Results Preservation method, storage time and post-feeding time all significantly impacted PCR amplification success. Filter papers and, to a lesser extent, 95 % ethanol, were the most effective methods for the maintenance of host DNA templates. Amplification success of host DNA preserved in cold storage at -20 °C and desiccation was poor. Conclusions Our data suggest that, of the methods tested, host DNA template integrity was most stable when blood meals were preserved using filter papers. Filter paper preservation is effective over short- and long-term storage, while ethanol preservation is only suitable for short-term storage. Cold storage at -20 °C, and desiccation of blood meal specimens, even for short time periods, should be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence E Reeves
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Chris J Holderman
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, 1041 Pat Roberts Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Jennifer L Gillett-Kaufman
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Akito Y Kawahara
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Phillip E Kaufman
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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32
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Blanchong JA, Robinson SJ, Samuel MD, Foster JT. Application of genetics and genomics to wildlife epidemiology. J Wildl Manage 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.1064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julie A. Blanchong
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management; Iowa State University; 339 Science II Ames IA 50011 USA
| | | | - Michael D. Samuel
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; University of Wisconsin; 204 Russell Labs, 1630 Linden Dr. Madison WI 53706 USA
| | - Jeffrey T. Foster
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences; University of New Hampshire; 291 Rudman Hall Durham NH 03824 USA
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33
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Adamowicz SJ, Steinke D. Increasing global participation in genetics research through DNA barcoding. Genome 2015; 58:519-26. [DOI: 10.1139/gen-2015-0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
DNA barcoding—the sequencing of short, standardized DNA regions for specimen identification and species discovery—has promised to facilitate rapid access to biodiversity knowledge by diverse users. Here, we advance our opinion that increased global participation in genetics research is beneficial, both to scientists and for science, and explore the premise that DNA barcoding can help to democratize participation in genetics research. We examine publication patterns (2003–2014) in the DNA barcoding literature and compare trends with those in the broader, related domain of genomics. While genomics is the older and much larger field, the number of nations contributing to the published literature is similar between disciplines. Meanwhile, DNA barcoding exhibits a higher pace of growth in the number of publications as well as greater evenness among nations in their proportional contribution to total authorships. This exploration revealed DNA barcoding to be a highly international discipline, with growing participation by researchers in especially biodiverse nations. We briefly consider several of the challenges that may hinder further participation in genetics research, including access to training and molecular facilities as well as policy relating to the movement of genetic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J. Adamowicz
- Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Dirk Steinke
- Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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34
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Xu CCY, Yen IJ, Bowman D, Turner CR. Spider Web DNA: A New Spin on Noninvasive Genetics of Predator and Prey. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142503. [PMID: 26606730 PMCID: PMC4659541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive genetic sampling enables biomonitoring without the need to directly observe or disturb target organisms. This paper describes a novel and promising source of noninvasive spider and insect DNA from spider webs. Using black widow spiders (Latrodectus spp.) fed with house crickets (Acheta domesticus), we successfully extracted, amplified, and sequenced mitochondrial DNA from spider web samples that identified both spider and prey to species. Detectability of spider DNA did not differ between assays with amplicon sizes from 135 to 497 base pairs. Spider and prey DNA remained detectable at least 88 days after living organisms were no longer present on the web. Spider web DNA as a proof-of-concept may open doors to other practical applications in conservation research, pest management, biogeography studies, and biodiversity assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles C. Y. Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ivy J. Yen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Dean Bowman
- Potawatomi Zoo, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Cameron R. Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
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Schnell IB, Sollmann R, Calvignac-Spencer S, Siddall ME, Yu DW, Wilting A, Gilbert MTP. iDNA from terrestrial haematophagous leeches as a wildlife surveying and monitoring tool - prospects, pitfalls and avenues to be developed. Front Zool 2015; 12:24. [PMID: 26430464 PMCID: PMC4589908 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-015-0115-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Invertebrate-derived DNA (iDNA) from terrestrial haematophagous leeches has recently been proposed as a powerful non-invasive tool with which to detect vertebrate species and thus to survey their populations. However, to date little attention has been given to whether and how this, or indeed any other iDNA-derived data, can be combined with state-of-the-art analytical tools to estimate wildlife abundances, population dynamics and distributions. In this review, we discuss the challenges that face the application of existing analytical methods such as site-occupancy and spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models to terrestrial leech iDNA, in particular, possible violations of key assumptions arising from factors intrinsic to invertebrate parasite biology. Specifically, we review the advantages and disadvantages of terrestrial leeches as a source of iDNA and summarize the utility of leeches for presence, occupancy, and spatial capture-recapture models. The main source of uncertainty that attends species detections derived from leech gut contents is attributable to uncertainty about the spatio-temporal sampling frame, since leeches retain host-blood for months and can move after feeding. Subsequently, we briefly address how the analytical challenges associated with leeches may apply to other sources of iDNA. Our review highlights that despite the considerable potential of leech (and indeed any) iDNA as a new survey tool, further pilot studies are needed to assess how analytical methods can overcome or not the potential biases and assumption violations of the new field of iDNA. Specifically we argue that studies to compare iDNA sampling with standard survey methods such as camera trapping, and those to improve our knowledge on leech (and other invertebrate parasite) physiology, taxonomy, and ecology will be of immense future value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Bærholm Schnell
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ; Center for Zoo and Wild Animal Health, Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Rahel Sollmann
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany ; Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, Raleigh USA ; Present address: US Forest Service, Pacific Southwest 17 Research Station, 1731 Research Park Drive, Davis, CA 95618 USA
| | | | - Mark E Siddall
- Sackler Institute of Comparative Genomics and Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA
| | - Douglas W Yu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK ; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China
| | - Andreas Wilting
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ; Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
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Hamer SA, Weghorst AC, Auckland LD, Roark EB, Strey OF, Teel PD, Hamer GL. Comparison of DNA and Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope-based Techniques for Identification of Prior Vertebrate Hosts of Ticks. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 52:1043-1049. [PMID: 26336205 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjv063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Identification of the vertebrate hosts upon which hematophagous arthropods feed provides key information for understanding the ecology and transmission of vector-borne diseases. Bloodmeal analysis of ticks presents unique challenges relative to other vectors, given the long interval between bloodmeal acquisition and host-seeking, during which DNA degradation occurs. This study evaluates DNA-based and stable isotope-based bloodmeal analysis methodologies for the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (Linneaus, 1758), in an experimental study with chicken as the known host. We subjected ticks of different ages and environmental rearing conditions to three DNA-based approaches and a stable isotopic analysis, which relies on the natural variation of nitrogen ((15)N/(14)N) and carbon ((13)C/(12)C) isotopes. While all three DNA-based approaches were successful in identifying the bloodmeal host of the engorged nymphs, only the probe-based RT-PCR was able to detect host DNA in aged ticks, the success of which was low and inconsistent across age and rearing treatments. In contrast, the stable isotope analysis showed utility in determining the host across all ages of ticks when isotopic values of ticks were compared with a panel of candidate vertebrate species. There was a positive shift in both δ(13)C and δ(15)N in adult A. americanum until 34 wk postnymphal bloodmeal. Through analyzing the isotopic signatures of eight potential vertebrate host species, we determined that the magnitude of this isotopic shift that occurred with tick age was minor compared with the heterogeneity in the δ(15)N and δ(13)C signatures among species. These results suggest that stable isotopes are a useful tool for understanding tick-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
| | | | - Lisa D Auckland
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - E Brendan Roark
- Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Otto F Strey
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX
| | - Pete D Teel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX
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Léger E, Liu X, Masseglia S, Noël V, Vourc'h G, Bonnet S, McCoy KD. Reliability of molecular host-identification methods for ticks: an experimental in vitro study with Ixodes ricinus. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:433. [PMID: 26296344 PMCID: PMC4546307 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1043-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reliable information on host use by arthropod vectors is required to study pathogen transmission ecology and to predict disease risk. Direct observation of host use is often difficult or impossible and indirect methods are therefore necessary. However, the reliability of currently available methods to identify the last host of blood-feeding arthropods has not been evaluated, and may be particularly problematic for ticks because host blood has been digested at capture. Biases in host detection may lead to erroneous conclusions on both vector ecology and pathogen circulation. METHODS Here, we experimentally tested for biases in host detection using the generalist three-host tick Ixodes ricinus as a model system. We fed ticks using an artificial feeding system and amplified blood meal traces post-moult (i.e., in the succeeding unfed life stage) via both a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay and a reverse line blotting method. We then experimentally tested for three types of biases in host detection: 1) time post-moult, 2) tick life stage and 3) host type (non-nucleated mammal blood versus nucleated avian blood), and compared these biases between the two molecular methods. RESULTS Our results show that all three factors can influence host detection in ticks but not necessarily in the expected way. Although host detection rates decreased with time post-moult, mammal blood tended to be more readily detected than bird blood. Tick life stage was also an important factor; detection was higher in nymphs than in adults and, in some cases, remnants from both larval and nymphal blood meals could be detected in the adult stage. These biases were similar for the two detection techniques. CONCLUSIONS We show that different factors associated with questing ticks may influence our ability to correctly infer previous host use and that these factors may bias inferences from field-based studies. As these biases may be common to other vector-borne disease systems, their implications for our understanding of vector ecology and disease transmission require more explicit consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Léger
- MIVEGEC (UMR UM2-UM1-CNRS 5290, UR IRD 224), Centre IRD, 911 avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France.
| | - Xiangye Liu
- USC INRA Bartonella-tiques, UMR BIPAR ENVA-ANSES, 94706, Maisons-Alfort, France. .,Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Xu Zhou Medical College, 221004, Xu Zhou, P.R. China.
| | - Sébastien Masseglia
- Unité Epidémiologie Animale (UR INRA 346), Centre de recherche INRA de Clermont-Ferrand / Theix, 63122, Saint Genès Champanelle, France.
| | - Valérie Noël
- MIVEGEC (UMR UM2-UM1-CNRS 5290, UR IRD 224), Centre IRD, 911 avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France.
| | - Gwenaël Vourc'h
- Unité Epidémiologie Animale (UR INRA 346), Centre de recherche INRA de Clermont-Ferrand / Theix, 63122, Saint Genès Champanelle, France.
| | - Sarah Bonnet
- USC INRA Bartonella-tiques, UMR BIPAR ENVA-ANSES, 94706, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Karen D McCoy
- MIVEGEC (UMR UM2-UM1-CNRS 5290, UR IRD 224), Centre IRD, 911 avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France.
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Lee PS, Sing KW, Wilson JJ. Reading Mammal Diversity from Flies: The Persistence Period of Amplifiable Mammal mtDNA in Blowfly Guts (Chrysomya megacephala) and a New DNA Mini-Barcode Target. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123871. [PMID: 25898278 PMCID: PMC4405593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Most tropical mammal species are threatened or data-deficient. Data collection is impeded by the traditional monitoring approaches which can be laborious, expensive and struggle to detect cryptic diversity. Monitoring approaches using mammal DNA derived from invertebrates are emerging as cost- and time-effective alternatives. As a step towards development of blowfly-derived DNA as an effective method for mammal monitoring in the biodiversity hotspot of Peninsular Malaysia, our objectives were (i) to determine the persistence period of amplifiable mammal mtDNA in blowfly guts through a laboratory feeding experiment (ii) to design and test primers that can selectively amplify mammal COI DNA mini-barcodes in the presence of high concentrations of blowfly DNA. The persistence period of amplifiable mammal mtDNA in blowfly guts was 24 h to 96 h post-feeding indicating the need for collecting flies within 24 h of capture to detect mammal mtDNA of sufficient quantity and quality. We designed a new primer combination for a COI DNA mini-barcode that did not amplify blowfly DNA and showed 89% amplification success for a dataset of mammals from Peninsular Malaysia. The short (205 bp) DNA mini-barcode could distinguish most mammal species (including separating dark taxa) and is of suitable length for high-throughput sequencing. Our new DNA mini-barcode target and a standardized trapping protocol with retrieval of blowflies every 24 h could point the way forward in the development of blowfly-derived DNA as an effective method for mammal monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Shin Lee
- Museum of Zoology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Ecology and Biodiversity Program, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kong-Wah Sing
- Museum of Zoology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Ecology and Biodiversity Program, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - John-James Wilson
- Museum of Zoology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Ecology and Biodiversity Program, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Identifying the last bloodmeal of questing sheep tick nymphs (Ixodes ricinus L.) using high resolution melting analysis. Vet Parasitol 2015; 210:194-205. [PMID: 25941127 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus L., is an important hematophagous vector of zoonotic disease of both veterinary and public health importance in Europe. Risk models for tick-borne diseases can be improved by identifying the main hosts of this species in any given area. However, this generalist tick stays on a host for only a few days a year over its life cycle, making the study of its feeding ecology difficult. In contrast, ticks can easily be collected from vegetation when they are questing. Molecular methods have proved to be a reliable alternative to field observation, but most current methods have low sensitivity and/or low identification success (i.e. hosts are only identified to taxonomic levels higher than species). In this study we use Real-time PCR coupled with High Resolution Melting Analysis (HRMA) to identify the source of the last bloodmeal in questing tick nymphs. Twenty of the most important tick hosts were grouped taxonomically and six group-specific primer sets, targeting short mitochondrial DNA regions, were designed de novo. Firstly, we show that these primers successfully amplify target host DNA (from host tissue or engorged ticks), and that HRMA can be used to reliably identify hosts to species (or genera in the case of Sorex and Apodemus). Secondly, the new protocol was tested on field-collected questing nymphs. Bloodmeal source was identified in 65.4% of 52 individuals. In 83.3% of these, the host was identified to species or genera using HRMA alone. Moreover, the primer sets designed here can unequivocally identify mixed bloodmeals. The combination of sensitivity and identification success together with the closed-tube and single step approach that minimizes contamination, make Real-time HRMA a good alternative to current methods for bloodmeal identification.
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40
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Che Lah EF, Yaakop S, Ahamad M, Md Nor S. Molecular identification of blood meal sources of ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) using cytochrome b gene as a genetic marker. Zookeys 2015:27-43. [PMID: 25685009 PMCID: PMC4319051 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.478.8037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood meal analysis (BMA) from ticks allows for the identification of natural hosts of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). The aim of this study is to identify the blood meal sources of field collected on-host ticks using PCR analysis. DNA of four genera of ticks was isolated and their cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene was amplified to identify host blood meals. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on data of Cyt b sequences using Neighbor Joining (NJ) and Maximum Parsimony (MP) analysis using MEGA 5.05 for the clustering of hosts of tick species. Twenty out of 27 samples showed maximum similarity (99%) with GenBank sequences through a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) while 7 samples only showed a similarity range of between 91–98%. The phylogenetic trees showed that the blood meal samples were derived from small rodents (Leopoldamyssabanus, Rattustiomanicus and Sundamysmuelleri), shrews (Tupaiaglis) and mammals (Tapirusindicus and Prionailurusbengalensis), supported by 82–88% bootstrap values. In this study, Cyt b gene as a molecular target produced reliable results and was very significant for the effective identification of ticks’ blood meal. The assay can be used as a tool for identifying unknown blood meals of field collected on-host ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernieenor Faraliana Che Lah
- Acarology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ; School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Salmah Yaakop
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mariana Ahamad
- Acarology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shukor Md Nor
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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41
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Status and prospects of DNA barcoding in medically important parasites and vectors. Trends Parasitol 2014; 30:582-91. [PMID: 25447202 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
For over 10 years, DNA barcoding has been used to identify specimens and discern species. Its potential benefits in parasitology were recognized early, but its utility and uptake remain unclear. Here we review studies using DNA barcoding in parasites and vectors affecting humans and find that the technique is accurate (accords with author identifications based on morphology or other markers) in 94-95% of cases, although aspects of DNA barcoding (vouchering, marker implicated) have often been misunderstood. In a newly compiled checklist of parasites, vectors, and hazards, barcodes are available for 43% of all 1403 species and for more than half of 429 species of greater medical importance. This is encouraging coverage that would improve with an active campaign targeting parasites and vectors.
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Bohmann K, Evans A, Gilbert MTP, Carvalho GR, Creer S, Knapp M, Yu DW, de Bruyn M. Environmental DNA for wildlife biology and biodiversity monitoring. Trends Ecol Evol 2014; 29:358-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2014.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 515] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Wodecka B, Rymaszewska A, Skotarczak B. Host and pathogen DNA identification in blood meals of nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks from forest parks and rural forests of Poland. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2014; 62:543-55. [PMID: 24352572 PMCID: PMC3933768 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-013-9763-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
DNA analysis of blood meals from unfed nymphal Ixodes ricinus allows for the identification of tick host and tick-borne pathogens in the host species. The recognition of host species for tick larvae and the reservoirs of Borrelia, Rickettsia and Anaplasma species were simultaneously carried out by analysis of the blood meals of 880 questing nymphal I. ricinus ticks collected in forest parks of Szczecin city and rural forests in northwestern Poland that are endemic areas for Lyme borreliosis. The results obtained from the study indicate that I. ricinus larvae feed not only on small or medium animals but also on large animals and they (i.e. roe deer, red deer and wild boars) were the most prevalent in all study areas as the essential hosts for larvae of I. ricinus. The composition of medium and small vertebrates (carnivores, rodents, birds and lizards) provided a more diverse picture depending on study site. The reservoir species that contain the most pathogens are the European roe deer Capreolus capreolus, in which two species of Rickettsia and two species of Borrelia were identified, and Sus scrofa, in which one Rickettsia and three Borrelia species were identified. Rickettsia helvetica was the most common pathogen detected, and other included species were the B. burgdorferi s.l. group and B. miyamotoi related to relapsing fever group. Our results confirmed a general association of B. garinii with birds but also suggested that such associations may be less common in the transmission cycle in natural habitats than what was thought previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Wodecka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szczecin, Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Anna Rymaszewska
- Department of Genetics, University of Szczecin, Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Bogumila Skotarczak
- Department of Genetics, University of Szczecin, Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
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44
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Tracking the sources of blood meals of parasitic arthropods using shotgun proteomics and unidentified tandem mass spectral libraries. Nat Protoc 2014; 9:842-50. [PMID: 24625782 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2014.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Identifying the species on which hematophagous arthropods feed is crucial for studying the factors that affect pathogen distributions and that can aid public health. Here we describe a protocol to identify the species a parasitic arthropod has previously fed upon by identifying the source of the remnants of a previous blood meal via shotgun proteomics and spectral matching. The protocol is a nontargeted approach that uses the entire detected blood proteome for source identification; it does not require a priori knowledge of genome or protein sequences. Instead, reference spectral libraries are compiled from the blood of multiple host species by using SpectraST, which takes ∼4 d; the identification of the species from which a previous blood meal of a hematophagous arthropod was taken is achieved with spectral matching against the reference spectral libraries, which takes approximately another 4 d. This method is robust against random degradation of the blood meal and can identify unknown blood remnants months after the feeding event.
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45
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Önder Ö, Shao W, Kemps BD, Lam H, Brisson D. Identifying sources of tick blood meals using unidentified tandem mass spectral libraries. Nat Commun 2013; 4:1746. [PMID: 23612287 PMCID: PMC3635114 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid and reliable identification of the vertebrate species on which a disease vector previously parasitized is imperative to study ecological factors that affect pathogen distribution and can aid the development of public health programs. Here we describe a proteome profiling technique designed to identify the source of blood meals of hematophagous arthropods. This method employs direct spectral matching and thus does not require a priori knowledge of any genetic or protein sequence information. Using this technology, we detect remnants of blood in blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) and correctly determine the vertebrate species from which the blood was derived even six months after the tick had fed. This biological fingerprinting methodology is sensitive, fast, cost-effective, and can potentially be adapted for other biological and medical applications when existing genome-based methods are impractical or ineffective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özlem Önder
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19014-6019, USA
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Gariepy TD, Haye T, Zhang J. A molecular diagnostic tool for the preliminary assessment of host-parasitoid associations in biological control programmes for a new invasive pest. Mol Ecol 2013; 23:3912-24. [PMID: 24102670 DOI: 10.1111/mec.12515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Evaluation of host-parasitoid associations can be tenuous using conventional methods. Molecular techniques are well placed to identify trophic links and resolve host-parasitoid associations. Establishment of the highly invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), outside Asia has prompted interest in the use of egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) as biological control agents. However, little is known regarding their host ranges. To address this, a DNA barcoding approach was taken wherein general PCR primers for Scelionidae and Pentatomidae were developed to amplify and sequence >500-bp products within the DNA barcoding region of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene that would permit the identification of key players in this association. Amplification of DNA from Pentatomidae and Scelionidae was consistent across a broad range of taxa within these families, and permitted the detection of Scelionidae eggs within H. halys 1 h following oviposition. In laboratory assays, amplification and sequencing of DNA from empty, parasitized eggs was successful for both host (100% success) and parasitoid (50% success). When applied to field-collected, empty egg masses, the primers permitted host identification in 50-100% of the eggs analysed, and yielded species-level identifications. Parasitoid identification success ranged from 33 to 67% among field-collected eggs, with genus-level identification for most specimens. The inability to obtain species-level identities for these individuals is due to the lack of coverage of this taxonomic group in public DNA sequence databases; this situation is likely to improve as more species are sequenced and recorded in these databases. These primers were able to detect and identify both pentatomid host and scelionid parasitoid in a hyperparasitized egg mass, thereby clarifying trophic links otherwise unresolved by conventional methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- T D Gariepy
- Southern Crop Protection and Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, Ontario, Canada, N5V 4T3
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Ward DF, Ramón-Laca A. Molecular identification of the prey range of the invasive Asian paper wasp. Ecol Evol 2013; 3:4408-14. [PMID: 24340182 PMCID: PMC3856741 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2013] [Revised: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The prey range of the invasive Asian paper wasp, Polistes chinensis antennalis, was studied using molecular diagnostics. Nests of paper wasps were collected from urban residential and salt marsh habitats, larvae were removed and dissected, and DNA in the gut of the paper wasp larvae was amplified and sequenced with cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). Seventy percent of samples (211/299) yielded medium-to high-quality sequences, and prey identification was achieved using BLAST searches in BOLD. A total of 42 taxa were identified from 211 samples. Lepidoptera were the majority of prey, with 39 taxa from 91% of samples. Diptera was a relatively small component of prey (three taxa, 19 samples). Conclusive species-level identification of prey was possible for 67% of samples, and genus-level identification, for another 12% of samples. The composition of prey taken was different between the two habitats, with 2.5× more native prey species being taken in salt marsh compared with urban habitats. The results greatly extend the prey range of this invasive species. The technique is a more effective and efficient approach than relying on the collection of “prey balls”, or morphological identification of prey, for the study of paper wasps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren F Ward
- Landcare Research Private Bag 92170, Auckland, New Zealand
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Calvignac-Spencer S, Leendertz FH, Gilbert MTP, Schubert G. An invertebrate stomach's view on vertebrate ecology: certain invertebrates could be used as "vertebrate samplers" and deliver DNA-based information on many aspects of vertebrate ecology. Bioessays 2013; 35:1004-13. [PMID: 23913504 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201300060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that vertebrate genetic material ingested by invertebrates (iDNA) can be used to investigate vertebrate ecology. Given the ubiquity of invertebrates that feed on vertebrates across the globe, iDNA might qualify as a very powerful tool for 21st century population and conservation biologists. Here, we identify some invertebrate characteristics that will likely influence iDNA retrieval and elaborate on the potential uses of invertebrate-derived information. We hypothesize that beyond inventorying local faunal diversity, iDNA should allow for more profound insights into wildlife population density, size, mortality, and infectious agents. Based on the similarities of iDNA with other low-quality sources of DNA, a general technical framework for iDNA analyses is proposed. As it is likely that no such thing as a single ideal iDNA sampler exists, forthcoming research efforts should aim at cataloguing invertebrate properties relevant to iDNA retrieval so as to guide future usage of the invertebrate tool box.
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Abstract
One of the fundamental challenges of conservation biology is gathering data on species distribution and abundance. And unless conservationists know where a species is found and in which numbers, it is very difficult to apply effective conservation efforts. In today's age of increasingly powerful monitoring tools, instant communication and online databases, one might be forgiven for thinking that such knowledge is easy to come by. However, of the approximately 5,400 terrestrial mammals on the IUCN Red List, no fewer than 789 (ca. 14%) are listed as 'Data Deficient' (IUCN 2012) – IUCN’s term for 'haven't got a clue'. Until recently, the only way to gather information of numbers and distribution of terrestrial mammals (and many other vertebrates) was through observational-based approaches such as visual records, the presence of tracks or spoor or even identification from bushmeat or hunters' trophies pinned to the walls in local villages. While recent technological developments have considerably improved the efficacy of such approaches, for example, using remote-sensing devices such as audio- or camera-traps or even remote drones (Koh & Wich 2012), there has been a growing realization of the power of molecular methods that identify mammals based on trace evidence. Suitable substrates include the obvious, such as faecal and hair samples (e.g. Vigilant et al. 2009), to the less obvious, including environmental DNA extracted from sediments, soil or water samples (e.g. Taberlet et al. 2012), and as recently demonstrated, the dietary content of blood-sucking invertebrates (Gariepy et al. 2012; Schnell et al. 2012). In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Calvignac-Spencer et al. (2013) present a potentially powerful development in this regard; diet analysis of carrion flies. With their near global distribution, and as most field biologists know, irritatingly high frequency in most terrestrial areas of conservation concern (which directly translates into ease of sampling them), the authors present extremely encouraging results that indicate how carnivorous flies may soon represent a strong weapon in the conservation arsenal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Bohmann
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Mechai S, Feil EJ, Gariepy TD, Gregory TR, Lindsay LR, Millien V, Ogden NH. Investigation of the population structure of the tick vector of Lyme disease Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Canada using mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene sequences. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2013; 50:560-570. [PMID: 23802450 DOI: 10.1603/me12178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Genotyping of Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks could enhance understanding of the occurrence and genotypes of I. scapularis-borne pathogens. We investigated the utility of mitochondrial (mt) Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I gene (cox1) sequences as a tool for understanding the population structure of I. scapularis collected in Canada, where we also investigated the geographic occurrence of different cox1 haplotypes. Sequences obtained from 414 ticks were one of 55 unique haplotypes, most of which grouped into one of six clades. Demographic analysis suggested that cox1 sequences have haplotype and nucleotide diversity comparable to other mt genes. All haplotypes were connected in a single minimum spanning network tree. Despite low fixation index values there were significant differences in the frequency of occurrence of haplotypes of different clades among four geographic regions: 1) Alberta to western Ontario, 2) eastern Ontario, 3) Quebec, and 4) Atlantic Provinces; suggesting that cox1 sequences could reveal population structure differences between I. scapularis in geographically separated populations of northeastern and midwestern North America. Spatial clusters of ticks of the same haplotype identified in regions of southern Quebec and southern Ontario where I. scapularis is invading were consistent with population bottlenecks associated with founder events. These findings suggest that cox1 sequences are useful for the study of I. scapularis population structure, are of sufficient diversity that spatial analyses of haplotypes can be used to identify where I. scapularis is emerging in southern Canada, and may be useful for exploring differences between northeastern and midwestern populations of I. scapularis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mechai
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
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